"The Vanishing" is a psychological thriller that tells the haunting story of Rex and Saskia, a young couple on a road trip through France. During a pit stop at a gas station, Saskia mysteriously disappears without a trace, leaving Rex devastated and desperate to uncover the truth about what happened to her.

Years later, Rex is still haunted by Saskia's disappearance and becomes obsessed with finding answers. He becomes fixated on Raymond, a seemingly ordinary family man who becomes the prime suspect in Saskia's case. Determined to uncover the truth, Rex begins a dangerous game of cat and mouse with Raymond, infiltrating his life and uncovering disturbing secrets.

As one of the best kidnapping movies, "The Vanishing" is a gripping and chilling exploration of the human psyche, which showcases the lengths people will go to uncover the truth and the haunting effects of loss and obsession. Its atmospheric storytelling, intense performances, and shocking twists are the movie's best highlights, pushing audiences to question the true nature of evil and the fragility of our own sanity.

Release: 1988

Stars: Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu, Gene Bervoets, Johanna ter Steege

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%

"Room" revolves around the life of Joy Newsome, a young woman who has been held captive in a small, soundproofed shed for seven years. The room is the only world that Joy knows, and she has created a nurturing environment for her five-year-old son, Jack, within its walls.

As Jack's curiosity about the outside world grows, Joy realizes that they must escape the confines of their captor's control. With immense courage and determination, she devises a risky plan for their freedom, relying on Jack to play a crucial role in their escape.

Once they break free from their captor's grasp, Joy and Jack face the daunting task of adjusting to the outside world. Everything is new and overwhelming to Jack, who has never experienced life beyond the room. Together, they navigate the challenges of reintegrating into society and finding a sense of normalcy while grappling with the trauma of their past.

With powerful performances by Brie Larson as Joy and Jacob Tremblay as Jack, "Room" captivates audiences with its raw emotion and thought-provoking storytelling. Lauded as one of the best kidnapping movies, it shows the strength and resilience of the human spirit and reminds us of the inherent beauty and wonder of the world outside the confines of a small room.

Release: 2015

Stars: Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay, Sean Bridgers

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%

"Misery," a psychological thriller based on the novel by Stephen King, follows the disturbing story of renowned author Paul Sheldon, who becomes a prisoner of his obsessed fan, Annie Wilkes. After a car accident leaves Paul stranded in a remote area during a snowstorm, he is rescued by Annie, a seemingly kind and caring nurse. Annie takes Paul to her isolated home, where she reveals her obsession with his novels, particularly his popular series featuring the character Misery Chastain.

As Paul recovers from his injuries, he becomes increasingly aware of Annie's unstable and controlling behavior. She reveals her true nature when she discovers that Paul plans to kill off Misery Chastain in his latest novel. Annie becomes enraged, seeing this as a personal betrayal, and takes drastic measures to ensure Paul rewrites the story to keep Misery alive.

Paul finds himself trapped in a terrifying game of cat and mouse, as Annie subjects him to physical and psychological torment to maintain her control over him. Cut off from the outside world and at the mercy of his captor, Paul must find a way to outwit Annie and escape before she completely unravels.

Starring James Caan as Paul Sheldon and Kathy Bates in an Oscar-winning performance as Annie Wilkes, "Misery" is a gripping and chilling tale that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. With its intense atmosphere, compelling performances, and shocking twists, the film delivers a disturbing and unforgettable exploration of obsession and the depths of human depravity.

Release: 1990

Stars: James Caan, Kathy Bates, Richard Farnsworth

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%

"Raising Arizona" is a quirky comedy film directed by the Coen brothers. The story revolves around a childless couple, H.I. McDunnough and Edwina "Ed" McDunnough, who embark on an unconventional journey to start a family.

H.I. is a repeat offender and a former convenience store robber who dreams of turning his life around. Ed is a police officer who is unable to have children. Desperate to have a baby, they decide to kidnap one of the famous Arizona quintuplets, believing that the parents won't miss one of their five children.

Their plan seems to work, and they bring home the adorable baby boy named Nathan Jr. However, their new life as parents is anything but ordinary. Their house is soon visited by an array of peculiar characters, including H.I.'s ex-convict friends, the bumbling bounty hunter Leonard Smalls, and a relentless police officer named Glen.

"Raising Arizona" is known for its offbeat humor, witty dialogue, and eccentric characters. Through its fast-paced storytelling, memorable performances by Nicolas Cage and Holly Hunter, and the Coen brothers' unique directorial style, the film delivers a delightful blend of comedy, adventure, and heartfelt moments, standing as a cult classic that captures the joys and challenges of parenthood.

Release: 1987

Stars: Nicolas Cage, Holly Hunter, Trey Wilson

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90%

"Prisoners" is a gripping and suspenseful thriller that delves into the dark and haunting depths of the human psyche. The story revolves around Keller Dover, a devout and protective father, whose life takes a nightmarish turn when his six-year-old daughter, Anna, goes missing along with her friend, Joy Birch.

As the search for the missing girls intensifies, Detective Loki, a relentless and skilled investigator, takes charge of the case. Despite their efforts, the trail goes cold, and desperation begins to consume Keller.

Frustrated with the lack of progress, he decides to take matters into his own hands. Driven by his overwhelming fear for his daughter's safety, Keller kidnaps Alex Jones, a mentally challenged young man who was seen in the vicinity of the girls on the day they disappeared. Convinced of Alex's involvement, Keller resorts to extreme measures to extract information, crossing ethical and legal boundaries in his relentless pursuit of the truth.

With its taut storytelling, nuanced performances by Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal, and masterful direction by Denis Villeneuve, "Prisoners" immerses viewers in a world of uncertainty and suspense, challenging them to confront their own moral dilemmas and question the price of justice. It serves as a chilling reminder that sometimes the line between right and wrong becomes blurred, and the true cost of vengeance is revealed.

Release: 2013

Stars: Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 81%

"Split" is a psychological thriller that delves into the harrowing story of Kevin Wendell Crumb, a man with dissociative identity disorder (DID) who kidnaps three teenage girls. Kevin, portrayed by James McAvoy, has 23 distinct personalities residing within him, each with their own characteristics, mannerisms, and agendas.

The film begins as Kevin abducts Casey, Claire, and Marcia, locking them in an underground bunker. As the girls struggle to understand their captor and find a way to escape, they encounter various personalities within Kevin, each with their own unique traits. Some personalities, like the meticulous Dennis and the obsessive-compulsive Patricia, appear to have sinister intentions, while others, such as the childlike Hedwig, exhibit a more innocent demeanor.

Amidst the girls' desperate attempts to survive and escape, they also learn about a mysterious personality known as "The Beast." Rumored to possess superhuman strength and an insatiable appetite for impurity, The Beast becomes a source of terror and uncertainty for both the captives and Kevin's psychiatrist, Dr. Karen Fletcher.

Directed by M. Night Shyamalan, "Split" showcases McAvoy's exceptional acting range as he seamlessly transitions between the various personas inhabiting Kevin's psyche. The film weaves an intricate narrative to explore the depths of the human mind and the devastating impact of childhood trauma.

Release: 2016

Stars: James McAvoy, Anya Taylor-Joy, Haley Lu Richardson

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 78%